15
ORIENT EXPRESS
BUĞRA HADIMOĞLU TRIMMER
Buğra Hadimoğlu began his sailing career in 1993 and has been actively involved in competitive sailing from an early age. His career reflects a versatile progression, spanning from class sailing to semi-Olympic classes, and later evolving into high-performance keelboat and one-design racing.
Starting his sailing journey in the Optimist class, Hadimoğlu competed actively for three years, developing his core seamanship skills during this period. After a brief break, he returned to competitive sailing in 1998, first racing in the semi-Olympic 420 class and later transitioning to the 470 class. Throughout this phase, he competed in numerous national regattas in Turkey as well as various international events abroad, gaining experience at national team level through his results.
From 2005 onwards, Buğra Hadimoğlu shifted his focus to keelboat racing, where his career has since been largely concentrated. Competing across IRC, ORC, Sportboat, and One-Design classes on a wide range of yachts, he achieved numerous podium finishes both in Turkey and internationally. During this time, he developed advanced expertise in teamwork, race strategy, and wind reading.
In 2015, he competed in the Melges 32 Series held in Italy aboard the Eker-sponsored Melges 32, a high-performance one-design racing yacht. Racing against strong international fleets, this series provided valuable experience in an elite competitive environment demanding top-level speed, tactics, and crew coordination.
Between 2014 and 2024, Hadimoğlu raced extensively in the Farr 40 class, one of the world’s most prestigious one-design keelboat classes. During this decade, he took part in numerous national championships and regattas in Turkey, achieving multiple podium finishes and notable results. His long-term consistency in the Farr 40 class stands out as one of the strongest periods of his professional keelboat racing career.
In recent years, he has continued to compete actively in the Sportboat and J/70 classes. In 2023, he secured third place at the ORC European Sportboat Championship sailing aboard Orient XS (TUR 1125). In 2024, he finished second in the Corinthian division at the J/70 Turkish Championship held in Ayvalık. In 2025, racing with Orient Express XS under the sponsorship of Atabay Racing Team, he won the Turkish Sailing Federation Sportboat Turkish Championship, earning the national title. The same year, he claimed first place in the Corinthian division at the J/70 Turkish Championship in Turgutreis and also finished first in the Corinthian category at the J/70 Turkish Championship held in Bodrum based on the 2025 season results.
In 2008, Buğra Hadimoğlu was awarded the Fair Play Award in recognition of his sportsmanship, ethical approach, and exemplary conduct in sailing. This honor highlights a career defined not only by competitive success, but also by strong values and respect for the sport.
Throughout his sailing career spanning more than three decades since 1993, Buğra Hadimoğlu has competed in Optimist, 420, 470, Melges 32, Farr 40, J/70, and Sportboat classes, successfully representing Turkey and his sponsors in numerous national and international regattas.